Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY282714 Inspection date 11/05/2011 Inspector Sarah Measures

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and eleven years in Irchester, Northamptonshire. The whole ground floor and the upstairs bathroom of the childminder's house are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The premises is accessed via a step to the front door.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is currently minding three children under five during the day, and five children over five with vaious part time arrangements. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Satisfactory policies and operational procedures underpin the running of the provision. Children take part in a range of fun and interesting activities. However, the childminder does not make use of the Early Years Foundation Stage practice guidance in order to effectively assess children's progress towards the early learning goals. Most policies and procedures promote the welfare of the children. The childminder regularly shares good practice ideas with other childminders in order to gain new ideas to improve. However, there is no effective system of self reflection that allows her to evaluate all aspects of the provision in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 notify Ofsted of any serious accident or injury (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 11/05/2011

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 develop an effective system of self-evaluation in order to plan and organise systems to ensure every child receives an enjoyable and challenging learning and development experience that is tailored to meet their individual needs  make sure that significant illnesses and incidents are recorded with sufficient detail  develop a regular two-way flow of information between providers  develop arrangements for observing and assessing children in order to identify the next steps in their learning and development, by making effective This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 use of the Early Years Foundation Stage practice guidance.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a sound understanding of the possible indicators of child abuse, and she keeps up-to-date with Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and guidance. This helps her to protect children from abuse and neglect. The childminder shares relevant information with parents as to how to make a complaint, that includes details of how to contact Ofsted as the regulator. This promotes a safe and transparent provision for parents and children. Suitable procedures make sure that children are collected by appropriately identified persons. The childminder records general accidents with clear detail and makes sure that parents see and sign the records. However, she does not keep a sufficient record of significant illnesses and/or incidents in order to fully protect children. She did not inform Ofsted when such an incident occurred which does not meet with the welfare requirements. The childminder organises her home well to

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the early years provision

meet the varying needs of the children. She plans areas so that older children can safely enjoy more complex activities. She offers a welcoming setting where all children can choose freely from a variety of toys, books and games that meet their developmental needs. The childminder risk assesses her home and garden so that areas are safe for children to use.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a thoughtful and appropriate equality of opportunity policy. She works with parents in order to understand any additional needs in order for children to be appropriately included within activities and routines. She plans a positive learning environment for children and includes suitable images of diversity within toys and activities. This helps children to learn to value and appreciate those who are different from themselves. The childminder discusses children's routines, activities and progress regularly with parents in order to ensure their needs are met. A full range of policy information is shared with parents in order to promote continuity of children's care. Any information regarding children's care at other settings they attend is shared with the childminder via parents. The childminder does not share specific information regarding children's progress towards the early learning goals with other settings that children attend that also deliver the Early

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the early years provision

Years Foundation Stage Framework. This does not enable all involved in the care and education of children to plan cohesively to meet their individual learning and developmental needs.

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and outcomes for children

Children take part in a variety of activities in and out of the home that cover all areas of their development. The childminder works with parents and observes the children in order to learn about their interests which she brings into activity planning to make sure children are suitably stimulated to enjoy their learning. Children take part in some good and well organised activities that encourage them to have fun as they learn. For example, they recently learnt about the Royal family This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 as they celebrated the royal wedding. They made crowns and discussed the wedding and they visited another setting for a party and celebrated alongside other children. Children meet regularly with other minded children and they regularly visit different pre-school groups in order to gain new experiences. This also means children have important opportunities to form friendships and to

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and outcomes for children

socialise out of the setting. Children's language for communication is also appropriately encouraged by the childminder's interactions. She talks fondly to the children and her discussions involve them in what is going on in order for them to develop a sound sense of belonging. The childminder acknowledges the babbling of young children and effectively encourages their early attempts to communicate. Children enjoy books and songs with the childminder and at the groups they visit. This offers different opportunities for them to learn new languages and to communicate in different ways. However, children's progress towards the early learning goals is not fully promoted because the childminder does not use the Early Years Foundation Stage practice guidance in order to assess their progress. She does observe the children in order to identify some key areas for development. However, she does not use her observations effectively to show children's progress

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and outcomes for children

within each area of learning and she does not use her observations to plan effectively for the next steps in children's progress towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop suitable healthy habits. The childminder operates a healthy eating policy, however parents provide most meals and the childminder mainly offer snacks with appropriate healthy choices. Children use various equipment in the childminder's garden that suitably develop their physical skills and strength and they use a further range of large play equipment to challenge them in different ways as they visit different parks locally. Children behave appropriately because the childminder is attentive to their needs, and makes sure they are suitably occupied. Children develop habits of good and responsible behaviours and their self-esteem is suitably promoted by the childminder's praise and by her encouraging manner. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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